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Faith Academy girls on record district winning streak with 79

Faith Academy of Marble Falls sophomore post Hannah Cozby (center) makes a shot in the lane during the Lady Flames' 61-18 win against Austin Hill Country on Jan. 14. Courtesy photo

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — The Faith Academy girls basketball team captured its 79th consecutive district victory Jan. 14 with a 61-18 decision against Austin Hill Country.

After starting district play with a win Jan. 10 against Temple Holy Trinity, the Lady Flames set a new record for head coach Jerry English. He guided Sweeny to 77 consecutive district victories when he was there in the 1960-70s.

“Seventy-nine district wins is absolutely mind boggling,” English said. “The longer you’re around this crazy game, the more you understand how crazy this is. So many things can happen to you. I never thought that record would be broken.”

Faith (16-4, 2-0) took a 19-4 lead in the first quarter against Hill Country thanks to relentless defensive pressure and rebounding.

Senior post Juliette Fisher had a couple of tips of the basketball to teammates to keep offensive possessions alive. Junior guard Taylor Denton hit a 3-pointer and pushed the pace on fast breaks for layups or assists.

English said he challenged his players to have a better start than what they had in the 54-20 win against Temple Holy Trinity on Jan. 10.

“This is the time of year you have to be at your best,” he told his players. “We have the opportunity to be a good team. We can’t expect to have every shot go in. How would you as individuals like to score six more points? Then, rebound.”

English said he believes the Jan. 14 victory was one of the best games he has watched this season.

Since Faith had a 41-10 lead at the half, the mercy rule was in place almost after the third period began.

English was pleased to see his team continue its pursuit, noting the Lady Flames outscored the Lady Knights 15-2 in the fourth.

“I thought (this game) was a potential breakthrough,” he said. “If we come out on (Jan. 17 against Waco Vanguard) and jump on them, this ol’ boy is going to be pretty happy.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com 

TOP PLAYERS: Taylor Denton 21 points, 7 steals, 3 assists, 2 rebounds; Joanna Piatek 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists

ON OFFENSE: points – Juliette Fisher 7, Hannah Cozby 7, Sierra Brinkley 5, Kristen Cherry 4, Alisha Williams 4; assists – Cherry 3, Fisher 3, Cozby 2; rebounds – Fisher 5, Cherry 4, Cozby 4, Williams 3, Brinkley 1

ON DEFENSE: steals – Fisher 7, Cherry 4, Cozby 2, Brinkley 1; rebounds – Cozby 5, Cherry 3, Fisher 3; blocks – Cozby 3, Fisher 1

RECORDS: Faith is 16-4 overall and 2-0 in District 4-2A of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools; Hill Country is 8-10 and 0-3 in district.

UP NEXT: TBA Jan. 17, Faith Academy at Waco Vanguard, 2517 Mount Carmel Drive in Waco